Puzzle



July 19-, 1938 L. H. BOAM 2,124,341

PUZZLE v Filed Feb. 10, 19 58 Lac/e H Beam Patented July 19, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ZZLE,

Application February 10, 1938, Serial No. 189,828

3 Claims.

This invention relates to puzzles.

The general objects of the invention are to provide a simple, inexpensive puzzle device for amusement.

These and other objects will be manifest from the following brief description and the accompanying drawing.

Of the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the puzzle apparatus embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-section taken on line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevation view of Figure 1, illustrating one manner of using the puzzle, and

Figure 4 is an elevation view illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, II) is a supporting member, of .any suitable shape and material, having a preferably straight sided non-undercut recess or bore II in the top face ll) thereof for receiving snugly but loosely a ball or sphere I2. 1

The bore II is of such depth that the ball l2 resting within it may have its center just slightly below the top face lo The bottom of the base is preferably substantially conical as shown whereby the ball will be supported centrally of the recess to eliminate friction of the ball on the wall of the recess which would tend to dislodge the ball from the hand.

The ball l2, for best results in using the apparatus, as shown in Figure 3, is preferably made of solid steel about a half inch in diameter and having a highly polished surface. Of course, balls of other materials and diameters may be used but it is to be understood that any changes made in the construction heretofore shown and described will merely render the puzzle either more easy or more difficult to solve, as will be hereinafter described.

In using the puzzle the object is to lift the ball I 2 out of the recess II, as for example, by grasping the portion projecting above the surface Ill of member I0 between the thumb and forefinger, as shown in full lines in Figure 3. Ordinarily a novice will find this rather difficult to do because of the smooth surface of the ball as well as the fact that the center thereof lies below the top face of member I 0. However, it may be discovered that by moistening the fingers to a proper degree and applying only a relatively light pressure upon the ball, the latter will adhere sufficiently to be lifted from the recess l I repeatedly with comparative ease.

Figure 4 shows a modified form of the invention, similar to Figures 1, 2 and 3 with the exception that the top face of member Ill curves downwardly away from the edge of the recess I l as indicatedat I 0. This construction serves to make the puzzle easier to solve.

Obviously, making the ball l2 proportionately smaller or making it heavier for its size by using a more dense material, or lowering the position of its center with respect to the top surface of member II), will render the puzzle more difficult to master. Conversely, making the ball I2 proportionately larger, or lighter in weight for its size, or raising its center will render the puzzle more easy to solve. Other modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A puzzle apparatus, comprising a ball, and a supporting member having a recess therein, said recess being so proportioned as to receive said ball loosely but snugly therein and with substantially half or less than half the surface of said ball protruding from said recess, said recess being formed with a substantially invertedconical bottom surface for centering the ball in the recess out of contact with the wall thereof.

2. A puzzle apparatus, comprising a ball, and a supporting member having a recess therein, said recess being so proportioned as to receive said ball loosely but snugly therein and with substantially half or less than half the surface of said ball protruding from said recess, said recess having a non-undercut wall extending to a distance below the center of said ball, said recess being formed with a substantially invertedconical bottom surface for centering the ball in the recess out of contact with the wall thereof.

3. A puzzle apparatus, comprising a ball, a supporting member having a recess therein, said recess being so proportioned as to receive said ball loosely but snugly therein and protruding therefrom with substantially not more than half of the surface of said ball protruding, and means in said recess for engaging and centering the ball therein so as to be out of contact with the wall thereof.

LACEY H. BOAM. 

